Energy Efficiency Newsroom

Check this webpage for regional and national news and information about building energy efficiency, energy code updates and development, and equipment efficiency standards.

Latest News

2021 WSEC-C EDITION WEBTOOLS FOR ENVELOPE, LIGHTING & MECHANICAL 

These beta tools are now available for users to start navigating the new envelope, lighting and mechanical requirements of the 2021 WSEC-C. We encourage users to share your observations and feedback with us about these updates.

Tools for service water heating are in development and will be available soon.

UPDATED - March 19th, 2024

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2021 WASHINGTON STATE ENERGY CODES

Effective date of the 2021 WSEC has been delayed until March 15th, 2024 

On November 28, 2023, the WA State Building Code Council (SBCC) conducted an affirmative vote to modify sections in the commercial and residential energy codes to address legal uncertainty stemming from the decision in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley recently issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. These modifications apply primarily to the mechanical, service water heating and additional energy efficiency measure provisions in the 2021 WSEC that go into effect on March 15th, 2024. 

CLICK HERE to go to the Washington State Building Code Council website for the latest news.

UPDATED - November 30th, 2023

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2021 WSEC COMMERCIAL TRAININGS

We offer virtual trainings for the convenience of the construction industry professionals we serve. Training topics focus on the provisions that have been determined to offer the highest potential for energy savings.

In consideration of the code adoption delay and recent vote by the SBCC confirming modifications to the original 2021 WSEC language, we will continue to offer webinars in 2024 that cover the changes between the 2018 and 2021 WSEC-C.

STAY TUNED!!! Training schedule for 2024 will be posted on the Education and Resources soon.

UPDATED - November 30th, 2023

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WSEC COMMERCIAL COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION WEBTOOL 

This online resource captures many details from the WSEC for envelope, mechanical and lighting systems. Many jurisdictions require this documentation for a project permit submittal. 

READY TO GET STARTED WITH THE WEBTOOL? Create an account and then select My Projects to set up a new project and explore all the helpful features.

UPDATED - January 10th, 2023

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CLEAN ENERGY TRANSFORMATION ACT (CETA) 

CETA (SB 5116) was implemented in May 2019. It commits Washington to an eletricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

"CETA is a complex law requiring transformation of an essential service, electricity, and many agencies and stakeholders will work together to achieve its objectives. Commerce will work closely with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), which regulates the rates and service of investor-owned utilities. Other state agency partners include the state auditor and the departments of Ecology and Health.

More than 60 electric utilities must comply with CETA. Interested stakeholders represent business customers, low-income and vulnerable communities, consumers, environmental advocates and renewable energy developers." WA State Energy Office - WA Dept of Commerce

Click here for more information about CETA.

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WSEC COMMERCIAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT - ETC

Evergreen Technology Consulting (ETC) provides commercial energy code technical support services for WA State. We provide classroom and online training, technical topic resources, on-line compliance documentation tools and on-call technical support. 

Refer to the Ask A Question page to reach our commercial energy code experts.